Trophoblast-like cells sorted from peripheral maternal blood using flow cytometry: A multiparametric study involving transmission electron microscopy and fetal dna amplification

Three monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) against trophoblast (GB17, GB21, and GB25) and flow cytometry were used to sort trophoblast-like cells (TLCs) from peripheral blood of pregnant women. Sorted TLCs were processed for electron microscopy and fetal DNA amplification of the Y-specific sequences from mothers carrying male fetuses. At the ultra-structural level, most of the nucleated cells had the morphology of leucocytes, suggesting maternal contaminants, and we did not find the characteristic features of the free inter-villous trophoblast cells. Nevertheless, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis showed an amplification of Y-specific sequences in two out of three samples of sorted TLCs. These results suggest that besides the maternal leucocytes, sufficient trophoblast nucleated fetal cells can be obtained using cell enrichment by sorting. This sensitive method holds promise for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of fetal sex and if sufficient Y(positive) nuclei are found, for the diagnosis of selected numerical chromosome abnormalities.     

磷回收对厌氧/好氧交替式生物滤池蓄磷/除磷的影响

为能提高生物除磷系统的除磷/回收磷效率,研究采用厌氧/好氧交替式生物滤池(AABF)处理低碳磷比废水,观察利用周期性扩增进水碳源进行磷回收时,生物滤池除磷效率及生物膜内微生物特性的变化.通过分析生物滤池除磷效率变化,生物膜多聚物染色、扫描电镜(SEM)观察以及荧光原位杂交(FISH)技术分析生物滤池系统实施周期性磷回收对生物膜内微生物菌群形态与组成的影响.结果发现,生物滤池在先后经历3次生物蓄磷-磷回收(PB-PR)的运行操作过程中,生物滤池除磷效率分别由磷回收前的60.3%、82.9%、86.6%提高到磷回收后的87.2%、91.2%、93.5%;生物滤池生物膜内优势菌群形态逐渐由大球菌演变为小球菌、杆菌与丝状菌;经过连续3个周期的PB-PR操作,生物滤池底部生物膜中聚磷菌所占比例由43%提高至70%;聚磷菌群在生物膜内混合菌群中的比例随着上流式生物滤池高度的增加而不断提高.结果表明,采用周期性的碳源扩增与回收磷的操作,可以提高生物滤池除磷效率;引起生物滤池生物膜内微生物菌群形态与组成发生变化,促进聚磷菌成为优势菌群.     

Simplified model for the evaluation of the effects of explosions on industrial target

The evaluation of vulnerability of process equipment to explosion is a central issue in the analysis of industrial risks. In this work, we have developed a simplified model, however based on fundamental equations, which includes structural and fluid–dynamic parameters for the target (the industrial equipment) and for the impacting pressure wave (shock waves) or object (fragment, debris) produced by different type of chemical explosions.The validity of methodology has been assessed by case histories. Several insights on the dynamic of structural interaction of the explosion with the target have been obtained, with specific reference to escalation effects.The model derives from the well-known Johnson's number, often adopted in impact engineering.     

Duplex PCR for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of spinal muscular atrophy

The main difficulty in developing a molecular diagnosis of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) resides in the specific genomic structure of the locus. Indeed, two highly homologous survival motor neurone genes, SMN1 and SMN2, are present at the locus. The detection of the homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 of the SMN1 gene, which is present in 90 to 98% of the patients, is based on methods highlighting 1 of the 8 nucleotidic mismatches existing between these 2 genes. In order to offer preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for SMA, we developed a new allele-specific amplification method. The main disadvantage of our previously described strategy resided in the possibility of diagnosing, in case of amplification failure, an unaffected embryo as affected. We present here a new PGD-SMA method. We established the conditions for three different duplex PCRs, allowing the specific detection of the SMN1 gene and one polymorphic marker, either D5S629, D5S1977, or D5S641. Of the 60 to 90 single cells tested, the PCR efficiency varied from 98 to 100% with a complete genotype obtained in a range between 81 and 87% with a global allele drop-out rate of 9%. Such a test was used to perform 1 PGD cycle for which 7 embryos could be analysed. All the embryos were fully diagnosed, six as unaffected and one as affected. Four embryos were transferred, but no pregnancy ensued. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Coupling effects of foam ceramics on the flame and shock wave of gas explosion

The coupling of gas explosion flame and shock wave is analyzed. In the gas explosion process, shock wave is affected by the flame directly, and shock wave also induces the flame. Inhibiting explosion can be achieved by the interference between the flame and shock wave propagation. If the coupling effects can be damaged, the adverse effects caused by the explosion should be mitigated and controlled. According to the structure characteristics of foam ceramics, the coupling effects mechanism of ceramic foam on gas explosion flame and shock wave is researched. When the explosion goes through the structure of foam ceramics, the flame can be quenched and the shock wave be attenuated. After the flame is quenched, the supply of precursor shock wave energy is cut off. Due to lack of energy supply, the destructive effects of blast wave will be reduced effectively. Coupling effects of the flame and shock wave can be damaged by the special structure of foam ceramics. Studies suggest that a certain function to represent the structure characteristics of foam ceramics must exist. For a certain material of foam ceramics, the sure porosity δ and the pore diameter d also can be get, which is the key to research and develop foam ceramic suppression technology of gas explosion.